DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. (AP) — A woman fatally shot her terminally ill husband inside a Florida hospital on Saturday and then barricaded herself in his room for four hours before surrendering, Daytona Beach officials said.
Ellen Gilland, 76, told officers that her 77-year-old husband Jerry Gilland had been ill for some time and they had planned the shooting together, police spokeswoman Carrie McCallister said.
After shooting her husband at about 11:30 a.m., she refused to come out until about 3:30 p.m. after negotiating with police, McCallister said. Ellen Gilland did not harm herself and no one else was wounded. Part of the hospital was evacuated and some doctors, nurses and others took cover in locked closets and rooms.
McCallister said no charges were immediately announced.
AdventHealth officials did not immediately respond to an email seeking comment.
Troynocerous on January 22nd, 2023 at 00:15 UTC »
My Grandpa recently passed using the MAiD program and honestly he would have done it the day it was offered if they would have let him. I can’t imagine him having to suffer the way he did near the end without that option as his quality of life was non-existent at that point.
CaputGeratLupinum on January 21st, 2023 at 22:19 UTC »
People have the right to die with dignity and go quickly without pain when the only alternative is prolonged suffering... This probably isn't the way to do it, but if her version of events is accurate then she was a good partner
Chippopotanuse on January 21st, 2023 at 22:19 UTC »
Assuming this was a mutually agreed upon assisted suicide…heart-wrenching to imagine pulling the trigger to put the love of your life out of his misery. I feel awful for both of them. I hope she can find peace.
End of life decisions are so hard. We should all have the right to end our lives as we see fit, with medical assistance, in a humane way.